Enjoy North Norfolk Making the most of North Norfolk
What could be more traditional for a Sunday lunch on the North Norfolk coast than Fish & Chips? With this philosophy in mind, we ventured to newly opened Eric’s Fish & Chips at Drove Orchards in Thornham last Sunday.
Eric’s Fish & Chips is the new restaurant from highly-regarded Titchwell Manor Chef, Eric Snaith. There is the option to sit down and dine, and also to take away.
Inside is cleverly, like a smart version of a traditional chippy. Coloured tilling on the walls, a ‘commercial’-feel floor and furniture that wonderfully manages to be both stylish and modern, while also bearing more than a passing reference to the tables and chairs in old-school chip shops. It is minimalistic and spacious without being pretentious. Wills & Kate could easily pop in and appreciate the surroundings, as could the holidaying family straight off the beach. After all, Fish & Chips is the meal that bypasses all boundaries of class and taste.
We particularly loved the utterly authentic ‘pin-board’ wall menus. A feature that shows that, despite its pedigree, this is a ‘proper’ Fish & Chip shop.
We loved the attention to detail – for example, the basket of blankets available to take if you wanted to eat your take away in the orchards and the glass bottles of Heinz Tomato Sauce.
Food-wise, the menu is of a very high standard, but still inclusive to all, with a few innovative extras that your usual Chip Shop may not stock. Food is locally sourced and can be cooked to meet dietary requirements, such as vegetarian leanings or gluten intolerance.
Eric’s Fish & Chips is fully licensed. Wine and Chips? Oh, go on then, if you insist.
My Partner had the Line Caught Cod & Chips and the boys had Children’s Cod & Chips each (with a couple of Battered Dingley Dell Sausages on top). I had Chips with Halloumi & Spinach Arancini and Battered Gherkins.
They all come in nice boxes that are easy to take out and eat pretty much anywhere (ideal for eating in the car – a very British pastime!). We sat outside on the picnic tables and watched the world at Drove Orchards go by, before heading home (the Little Men still dining from the convenience of their car seats).
Portions are ample – we all felt very full after polishing it all off.
Price-wise, I’d say items were probably only about 50p more each than we’d pay at our usual chippy and for the experience, this makes Eric’s Chips pretty good value.
Well worth a visit soon. We’ll certainly be back several times this year I should think.
Eric’s Fish & Chips is now open at Drove Orchards in Thornham, North Norfolk. Open 12-9pm daily.
Tel: 07444 886723
